Beginning in November, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will allow fully vaccinated travelers from Mexico or Canada to enter the United States at land and ferry points of entry for non-essential reasons. Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will amend the Title 19 regulations, which have been in effect since March 2020.
Key Changes
- Travelers will be required to show proof of vaccination; unvaccinated individuals will not be allowed to travel for non-essential purposes.
- Beginning in early January 2022, DHS will require that all inbound foreign national travelers crossing US land or ferry POEs – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination.
“In alignment with the new international air travel system that will be implemented in November, we will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “Cross-border travel creates significant economic activity in our border communities and benefits our broader economy. We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner.”
Erickson Insights
The announcement from DHS is intended to provide ample time for essential travelers such as truckers, students, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated and establishes consistent protocols for all foreign nationals traveling to the United States.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.